News | Entertainment
14 Jan 2026 19:23
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Jessie Buckley "wasn't well" during her stint on Andrew Lloyd Webber's "bonkers" TV talent show I'd Do Anything

    The 36-year-old actress/singer launched her career in 2008 as a contestant on the reality show which was a competition to win the role of Nancy in a West End production of hit musical Oliver! and she finished in second place behind winner Jodie Prenger - and Jessie has now admitted she struggled during her time on TV.


    She told Vogue magazine: "It's bonkers, in hindsight. I was just likeL 'Oh my God. I get to peek behind this curtain already. I get to sing. I get to be part of this industry that I really was hoping I could be part of.'

    "And I look back at it and I feel like: 'God, you're so brave.' I don't know if I'd have that courage now. And I don't know if that was kind of innocence or ignorance."

    However, her mental health was suffering behind-the-scenes. She added: "[I] was not well fully. I was depressed and I - just wasn't well.

    "There was a lot that was really messed up."

    Jessie went on to reveal she particularly suffered from "a lot of body shaming" adding: "And bringing me to femininity school. And I was growing into my body.

    "I was 17. I was in a moment of discovery. As women, it's such unfair objectification ... Back then, I was just trying to move into a space of myself.

    "I really hope that a 15, 17, whatever-age woman never has to be brutalised quite like what happened on that show. But I didn't recognise it fully at the time. I just felt it, which was difficult."

    After coming second in the competition, she was offered the chance to be Prenger's understudy in Oliver! - and Jessie admits she turned the job down by walking into the office of famed theatre producer Cameron Mackintosh.

    She explained: "I walked to his office, rang the bell and saidL 'Is Cameron Mackintosh here? Thank you, but I won't be taking that job'."

    Jessie went on to book plenty of theatre work and later moved into TV and movies making her film debut in 2017 thriller Beast.

    © 2026 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     14 Jan: Ali Larter stole some of her Landman character's clothing
     14 Jan: Nikki Glaser won't be afraid to mock celebrities at the Golden Globes
     14 Jan: Chad Michael Murray was relieved to be "humbled a bit" following the peak of his fame during the 2000s
     14 Jan: Kate Beckinsale has paid an emotional tribute to her stepfather Roy Battersby on the second anniversary of his death
     14 Jan: Fran Drescher has hailed her "delightful" Marty Supreme co-star Timothee Chalamet
     14 Jan: Bob Weir has died
     14 Jan: Kelly Clarkson has shared an update on how her children are coping following the death of their father
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    The chance to give back to family roots was an opportunity to good to pass up for Charlie Ngatai More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    New home building consents were significantly higher last year than the year before More...



     Today's News

    Living & Travel:
    At least 19 killed after crane falls on passenger train in Thailand 18:57

    Cricket:
    Kristian Clarke's soaking in a sensory overload on his first tour away with the Black Caps 18:57

    Entertainment:
    Ali Larter stole some of her Landman character's clothing 18:53

    Rugby:
    The chance to give back to family roots was an opportunity to good to pass up for Charlie Ngatai 18:37

    Entertainment:
    Nikki Glaser won't be afraid to mock celebrities at the Golden Globes 18:23

    Rugby:
    An unhappy All Blacks camp has been painted following the review into last year's end of season tour 18:17

    Law and Order:
    Police remain at the scene of a fatal shooting at Waitarere Beach this morning 18:07

    Politics:
    Excessive drinking at a Disability Support Services Christmas party is being claimed as partially to blame for alleged unacceptable behaviour 18:07

    Entertainment:
    Chad Michael Murray was relieved to be "humbled a bit" following the peak of his fame during the 2000s 17:53

    Law and Order:
    Four people have been arrested in a week-long operation around a Christchurch gang funeral - as members began arriving last Thursday, and dispersed yesterday 17:27


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd